Feminism and Psychoanalysis

"Not only a work of reference, but an indispensable guide to the territory of feminist argument." Parveen Adams, Brunel University

"The entries are written by many of the best writers in the field; the bibliographies are invaluable ... Does an excellent job naming and covering the variety of issues at stake." Jane Gallop, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee

"Impeccably researched, as well as lucidly written." Madelon Sprengnether, University of Minnesota

"This Dictionary will be an essential resource for anyone undertaking research in the area of 'feminism and psychoanalysis'." Morag Shiach, British Journal of Psychotherapy

Feminism and Psychoanalysis is of major interest to those who are aware of its two component areas, and wish to explore the common ground between them more intensively. The Dictionary charts the intersection of feminism and psychoanalysis via a number of domains which establish cross-references for crucial themes and allow theory and practice to work upon each other. The entries present evidence of live issues rather than solely agreed definitions.

The underlying problematics of such issues will cluster largely around the following questions: To what extent has psychoanalysis contributed to the critique of phallocentrism and to problems of subjectivity, of "masculinity" and "femininity"? Can feminism show that it is biologism rather than nature that oppresses women? What are the diverse ways in which feminists have taken up the struggle over the production, distribution and transformation of meaning in a number of specific cultural practices? How has psychoanalysis been useful in enabling women to challenge the forms of representation that constrain and oppress them? Which parts of modernism, the avant garde, and postmodernism constitute an area of political relevance for feminism? What has come out of the intersection of psychoanalysis with literary theory and criticism that is of political use for feminists?